Float-actuated valve.



B. S. GROSSMANN.

FLOAT ACTUAT'ED VALVE.

APPLICATIQN FILED MAR. 21. |913.

Patented May16,1916.

BENJAMIN S. GROSSMANN, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLOAT-ACTUATED VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1916.

Application led March 27, 1913. Serial N o. 757,185.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN S. Gnoss- Maxx, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have 1nvented certain new and useful Improvements in F loat-Actuated Valves; and I do heleby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the. invention, such as will enable others skilled 1n the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relate-s to valves, andflt more particularly relates to float-actuated valves.

An object of the invent-ion is to provide an improved valve of this character which is especially adapted for use in low closetflush tanks, and which is exceedingly compact, and therefore exceedingly convenient to install, and easy and convenient to maintain in proper condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve mechanism of this character which is easy of access for cleaning and repairing, when necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve mechanism of this character which may be easily and quickly installed by an inexperienced person. l

Another object is to provide such a valve mechanism that will be out of the way of a person repairing other mechanism adjacent thereto.

Another object is to minimize the objectionable noise that accompanies the flushing operation.

Another object is to provide a comparatively inexpensive valve mechanism for this purpose which is thoroughly efficient.

Other objects and advantages may be recited hereinafter and in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, which supplement this specification;V Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through my improved valve mechanism and its adjuncts. Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the water spreader elements illustrated in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a fragmental vertical sectional view of a somewhat modified form of the invention.

In these drawings, in which similar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views, the valve mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 consists of a valve housing 5, a housing seat 6, a valve stem 7, a valve 8, a valve stem guide 9, and a float or hollow ball 10, the latter being of ordinary construction. In addition to the foregoing elements, I provide the combined water spreader and valve shield 11, which, while not absolutely essential to the operation of the valve mechanism, is of great advantage, as hereinafter explained. This member 11 is shown .separately in Fig. v3, and consists of an inverted cone or valve shield 12, an annular body 13, a base flange 14, and bridges or supports 15, which latter unite the elements 12 and 13, while an annular passage 16 is disposed between the elements 12 and 13, and the bridges 15 extendacross this passage, so as to rigidlysupport the elements 12. The bridges 15 are downwardly converging or wedge-shaped, and the lower edges thereof, coincide with the apex of the inverted cone 12.

The housing seat 6 is internally screwthreaded for receiving the externally screwthreadedv downward extension of the valve housing, and an ordinary washer 17 is seated between the Hange 18 ofthe valve housing and the upper edge of the housing seat. The flange la extends laterally under the valve housing, while its vertical wall fits snugly against the inner wall of said valve housing. This member 11 rests upon the bottom of the housing seat and is held firmly in place by means of the housing, the washer 17 being of yieldableJ material. An externally threaded pipe connection 19 is formed integrally'- with the housing seat, and communicates with the interior thereof, and withthe interior ofthe valve housing through the water spreader 11. A horizontal l.shoulder 20 is formed at the upper end of the pipe connection 19, by the lower surface of the housing seat, and a washer 21 fis seated against the' shoulder 20 and rests u-'po'n'the Hoor or bottom 22 of the tank. A

nut 23 engages the threads of the pipe 19 and is adapted to be screwed tightly against the under surface of the bottom 22, so as to compress the washer 21 between the shoulder 20 and bottom 22, to prevent leakage around the pipe 19.

The casing 5 is provided with anoutlet spout 24 and with a centrally apertured partition 25 which constitutes a valve seat through which the valve chamber 26 communicates with the outlet chamber 27. The upper end of the casing 5 is centrally apertured at 2S, so as to form a bearing through which the valve 7 slides and by which it is guided. An externally threaded boss 29 is formed on the upper end of the casing 5, and on this boss is seated the vertical guide 9, apertured at 30, so that the valve stem 7 passes therethrough and is guided thereby. This member 9 constitutes a stop for arresting the downward movement of the ball 10 and valve 8, in case the element 12 is omitted.

The valve 8 comprises a downwardly flared or conical end of the rod 7, a yieldable washer 31, a rigid disk 32 and a screw 33, while the element 12 is provided with a central aperture 34: into which the head of the screw 33 extends, so that the disk 32 rests snugly upon the guard or shield 12. It will be seen that the diameter of the valve and its shield is substantially the same, so that when water passes up through the pipe connection 19 and through the annular passage 16, the valve 8 is effectually guarded and shielded by the element 12, while the inwardly and upwardly converging upper wall of the valve chamber gradually turns the stream of water inward or centrally, so that it is concentrated around the valve stem 7, and passes quickly and easily through the valve opening into the outlet chamber 27. lVhile the water is being spread by the elements 12 and 15, and thereafter being concentrated by the upwardly converging wall, the valve 8 remains in perfect equilibrium and quietude, not being subject to such lateral or upward pressure of the water as to cause it to vibrate and make unpleasant and undesirable noises.

When the water has risen suiiiciently to iioat the ball 10, the valve 8 begins to rise, and during the rising movement thereof, it is still shielded by the element 12, since the upward current is directed against the outer wall of the valve casing, and not against the valve. As the valve continues to rise, the upwardly converging element of the valve gradually closes the valve opening, and thus prevents the washer 31 from being too suddenly seated against the valve seat 25, thereby avoiding unnecessary shock and consequent detriment to the valve mechanism.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 4, I form the spreader element 12 integrally with the valve casing 2G', the pipe connection 19 being also formed integrally with the valve casing and spreader element. In this modification, the valve chamber has its upper end externally screw-threaded and in engagement with an internally screwthreaded flange of the outlet chamber 27', below the valve seat 25 and above the valve S. In this view (Fig. 4) the valve is shown in dotted lines in its closed position. The operation of the valve is the same as in Fig. 1, and the action of the water through the annular passage 16 and against the upwardly converging valve chamber wallgis also substantially the same.

It will be seen that I have provided a valve mechanism of this character which is fully capable of attaining the foregoing objects in a thoroughly practical and eiicient manner. i

I do not limit my invention to the exact details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herewith illustrated and described, but my invention may only be limited by a reasonable interpretationot the claim.

I claim In a valve mechanism, a valve chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a valve movable in said chamber to close the outlet opening, a stem on said valve extending through the outlet opening, a ioat secured to the end of the stem remote from the valve, a removable body in the lower part of said valve chamber having an annular flared passage, said body having an integral bridge extending across the flared passage thereof, that part ofthe bridge immediately below the valve being enlarged so as to form a conical spreader adapted to act as a support for the valve when open and as a deliector for the water passing through the said annular passage.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN S. GROSSMANN.

Copies of this patent may 'be obtained for veeentl each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patente, Washington, D. 0. 

